SEM and LM insights: Spore morphology and its taxonomic significance in Sino Himalayan, Malesian, and European elements of Pteridaceae.

The Pteridaceae family, known for its taxonomic complexity, presents challenges in identification due to high variability among its species. This study investigates the spore morphology employing both SEM and LM techniques in 10 Pteridaceae taxa phytogeographicaly Sino-Himalayan, Malesian, and European elements in Pakistan. The taxa include Adiantum capillus-veneris, A. incisum, A. venustum, Aleuritopteris bicolor, Oeosporangium nitidulum, O. pteridioides, Onychium cryptogrammoides, O. vermae, Pteris cretica, and P. vittata. The objective is to assess their taxonomic relevance and develop a spore-based taxonomic key. Findings indicate differences in spore shape, sizes, exospore thickness, and in surface ornamentation highlighting the potential for taxonomic differentiation. Spores are trilete, and notable differences are observed in the dimension of spores in both distal and proximal sides. Equatorial dimensions vary between 35 and 50 µm, while the polar diameter ranges from 29 to 50 µm. SEM revealed different spore ornamentation types that show several useful characteristics establishing valuable taxonomic variations. The studied Adiantum taxa feature a perispore with tubercules and a micro-granulose surface. The spores of examined Oeosporangium and Aleuritopteris taxa shows cristate sculptures with variable ornamentations. Both species of Onychium have tuberculate-pleated tubercles with sinuous folds on both distal and proximal sides. The surface ornamentation among examined Pteris taxa show variability. PCA analysis indicated that spore quantitative data identified distinct groups, underscoring taxonomic significance. Nevertheless, there was variation observed in surface ornamentation and spore shape, indicating the potential for discrimination among taxa. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Spore morphology of 10 Pteridaceae taxa has been investigated through LM and SEM. Investigated species shows differences in spore shape, sizes, exospore thickness, and in surface ornamentation. Ornamentation on the perispore provides several valuable characteristics, establishing useful taxonomic distinctions. Spore morphological analysis is effective at the generic level, with minor distinctions discernible at the species level.

Pollen morphological investigation of selected species of family Asteraceae from Pakistan by using light and scanning electron microscopy.

A light and scanning electron microscopy technique was conducted to investigate the palynological features of 19 species belonging to 15 genera of the family Asteraceae. The species under investigation yielded pollen in a range of shapes, including spheroidal, prolate, and subprolate. Trizoncolporate, Tricolporate, and Tetracolporate are the three types of pollen apertures observed in examined species. Except for Gazania rigens, which has reticulate ornamentation under SEM, the exine pattern in all studied species is echinate. The majority of the species had isopolar polarity, whereas some members were apolar and heteropolar. The quantitative parameters that are polar to equatorial diameter, P/E ratio, length of colpi, width of colpi, length of the spine, width of spine, and exine thickness was measured by using light microscopy. The Coreopsis tinctoria had the lowest mean polar 19.75 µm to mean equatorial diameter 18.25 µm while the Silybum marianum had the highest polar 44.7 µm to equatorial 48.2 µm value. The value for colpi length/width was highest in Cirsium arvensis and lowest in C. tinctoria, measuring 9.7/13.2 µm and 2.7/4.7 µm, respectively. The spine length varied from 0.5 µm in Sonchus arvensis to 5.5 µm in Calendula officinalis. Verbesina encelioides had the highest exine thickness measurement (3.3 µm), whereas S. arvensis had the lowest (0.3 µm). The pollen surface of Tagetes erectus, has the highest number (65) whereas the lowest spines number (20) is found in S. arvensis. A taxonomic key based on pollen traits is provided for quick identification of the species. Significant implications for the systematics of the Asteraceae family can be drawn from the reported pollen's quantitative and qualitative data. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: SEM and LM technique was used to study the palynological features of pollen grains. Quantitative and qualitative pollen features of 19 species of family Asteraceae are described. Morphological traits of pollen grains are important for the systematics of family Asteraceae.

Use of scanning electron microscopy to analyze sculpturing pattern and internal features of pollen grain wall in some members of Astragaleae (subfamily: Papilionoidae).

Palynological features of tribe Astagaleae L. have been observed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), to assess features that can be used to re-examine the placement and taxonomic position of tribe. The palynomorph attributes of 10 species included in three genera of Astragaleae (Astragalus L., Glycyrrhiza L., and Oxytropis DC.) are investigated. The assignment of genus Oxytropis in tribe Astragaleae was also reevaluated based on pollen characters. Pollen appear to be prolate, prolate-spheroidal, and subprolate. Polar axis size (P) varies from 31.3 µm ±1 to 17.5 µm ±1.4 and equatorial axis size (E) varies from 22.2 µm ±1.8 to 13.1 µm ±0.9. Prominent apertures found consistently dispersed along the surface of pollen. Three kinds of ornamentation pattern were recorded, that is, reticulate or reticulate-perforate and perforate. The studied species display variation in equatorial and polar diameter, aperturation and sculpturing pattern, exine thickness, and pollen shape. On the basis of descriptive pollen features, a dichotomous taxonomic key and UPGMA analysis has been made for effortless and quick identification. The study concluded that disparities of the entire features are typically unrelenting and concerned with the species and shows potential systematic significance. The combination of palynological attributes in association with additional traits has prospective for systematic identification at species and genus level.

Seed morphology: An addition to the taxonomy of Astragaleae and Trifolieae (Leguminosae: Papilionoidae) from Pakistan.

Seed morphology was described in detail for 12 species belonging to 5 genera of tribes Astragaleae and Trifolieae (Leguminosae; Papilionoideae) using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to evaluate the taxonomic relevance of macromorphological and micromorphological seed characters. The study aims to search for diagnostic seed ultrastructural features that may help to elucidate species identification. For SEM analysis, seed morphological characters including seed form and shape, color and size, ornamentation, epidermal cell shape, and anticlinal wall pattern were investigated. As a result of the study, species-specific characters have been determined. Based on seed exomorphology, three characteristic cell patterns; irregular, round, and flat were observed. In majority of studied taxa, species may be further differentiated based on seed shape, size, and surface ornamentation. The inconsistency in testa cell pattern, shape, and distribution of papillae or protuberances may probably give further insight and significant morphological features at specific and generic level within the tribe. This study illustrated that considerable taxonomic knowledge can be obtained by examining the seed characters of Astragaleae and Trifolieae, particularly at the species level. The results demonstrated that the use of SEM in seed morphology could play a role in the identification of taxa particularly at genus and species level. Twelve species of Astragaleae and Trifolieae were studied in order to describe and investigate the seed morphology and to evaluate the diagnostic value of this character using a SEM. A broader taxon sampling is required for classification at generic and tribal level, besides molecular and phylogenetic studies.

Spore morphology and leaf epidermal anatomy as a taxonomic source in the identification of Asplenium species from Malakand division Pakistan.

Several studies have demonstrated the usefulness of leaf epidermal, and spore morphological characters in the taxonomy of genus Asplenium. However, works on the Pakistani species of Asplenium are not existent. With the objective to verify the efficacy of leaf epidermal and spore morphological traits, the leaf epidermis and spore morphology in nine Asplenium species occurring in Malakand division was studied. The spores were studied under light microscope (LM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), whereas for leaf epidermal anatomy, the LM was used. The spores are monolete, ellipsoidal in shape, the equatorial and polar diameter ranges between 28.3 and 50.2 × 27.6 and 45.8 µm. The exospore thickness varied from 0.5 to 3.8 µm. The perispore is 0.8-3.5 µm thick, ornamented, and morphologically variable. The spores characters specifically the perispore ornamentation are useful in distinguishing species within the genus. The irregular spore shape and unusual development of perispore wall surface characterize aborted spores in the species of Asplenium × alternifolium. The most informative quantitative characters appeared to be length and width of epidermal cells, and length and width of stomata were useful to distinguish species. The most significant qualitative characters to distinguish species were the anticlinal wall pattern. Our study has shown that considerable variations exist in the leaf epidermis of Asplenium species, at least some of which has taxonomic significance. We confirmed the prevalent taxonomic value of stomatal and epidermal cells traits. The leaf epidermal anatomy and spore morphological features showed to be a good source of information for taxonomy of the genus Asplenium.

An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used to treat skin diseases in northern Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: Skin diseases are a major health concern especially in association with human immune deficiency syndrome and acquired an immune deficiency. The aim of this study was to document the ethnomedicinal information of plants used to treat skin diseases in Northern Pakistan. This is the first quantitative ethnobotanical study of therapeutic herbs utilized by the indigenous people of Northern Pakistan for skin diseases. METHODS: Interviews were taken to obtain information from 180 participants. Quantitative methods including fidelity level (FL), Frequency of citation (FC), Use-value (UV), Jaccard indices (JI), Family importance value (FIV), Relative frequency of citation (RFC) and Chi-square test were applied. Medicinal plants uses are also compared with 50 national and international publications. RESULTS: In this study, we recorded 106 plant species belonged to 56 floral families for treatment of skin ailments. The dominant life form reported was herb while the preferred method of utilization was powder, along with leaf as the most used plant part. RFC ranges from 0.07 to 0.25% whereas the highest FIV was recorded for family Pteridaceae. FL values range from 36.8 to 100%. The study reported 88% of new plant reports for the treatment of skin diseases. CONCLUSION: The present study revealed the importance of several plants used to treat skin diseases by the local communities of Northern Pakistan. The available literature supported the evidence of plant dermatological properties. Plants having high UV and RFC can be considered for further scientific analysis. There is dire need to create awareness among local, government and scientific communities for the preservation of medicinal species and ethnomedicinal knowledge in Northern Pakistan.

Taxonomic study of subfamily Nepetoideae (Lamiaceae) by polynomorphological approach.

The present study is insight into pollen morphology for characterizing species and their utility in the taxonomic separation of certain taxa of subfamily Nepetoideae (Lamiaceae) from Pakistan. The pollen micromorphology of 11 species of the Nepetoideae was analyzed and documented using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for both qualitative and quantitative characteristics. Most species have hexazonocolpate pollen grains but trizonocolpate and tetrazonocolpate pollen with circular and oval amb were also rarely observed in Mentha spicata. The basic pollen shape in most of the studied species was subspheroidal but prolate grains were also observed in M. spicata, S. coccinea, and S. plebeia. The exine sculpturing of Nepetoideae pollen was taxonomically very informative particularly at subfamily level. Observations of exine sculpturing with SEM revealed various types of pollen grains: reticulate, bireticulate, microreticulate, perforate, aerolate, and gammate. The bireticulate type further subdivided into three subtypes based on the number of secondary lumina in each primary lumen and is characterized by varying characteristics of the secondary reticulum and primary muri. A significant variation was observed in colpus surface ornamentation. The maximum polar diameter was found in O. americanum (58 ± 5.8 µm) and the maximum equatorial diameter observed in O. basilicum (50.25 ± 1.37 µm). Pollen features of the studied species were discussed and compared based on the current taxonomical concepts. The results showed that pollen traits of the subfamily Nepetoideae was found significant to classify the taxa. Furthermore, pollen features provide additional evidence to distinguish macromorphologically similar taxa from each other.

Foliar epidermal anatomical characteristics of taxa of Iris subg. Scorpiris Spach (Iridaceae) from Turkey.

Iris L. is one of the important genus of family Iridaceae, consist of 56 taxa naturally occurred in Turkey. The similarities and variations in the subgenus overlapping the taxonomic positions of the species in the subgenera and needs anatomical assessment especially by microscopic techniques. In this study, the taxonomic significance of leaf anatomical characters of 10 Iris subgenus Scorpiris taxa were studied in detail and the relationship among these taxa were evaluated using microscopy techniques. Fresh leaf samples of species were fixed in 70% alcohol solution for anatomical observation under microscope. Eleven different micromorphological features were statistically analyzed to delimit the species in subgenus. Based on morphological and anatomical similarities, we studied relationships among; (1) ssp. turcica, ssp. caucasica, I. nezahatiae and I. pseudocaucasica; (2) correlation between ssp. turcica and ssp. caucasica; (3) association of I. galatica, I. persica, ssp. margaretiae and ssp. stenophylla with each other; (4) relationship between ssp. stenophylla and ssp. margaretiae; and (5) relevance between I. aucheri and I. peshmeniana. Moreover, the taxonomy of subgenus Scorpiris has been discussed in detail with novel and diagnostic features based on micromorphological physiognomies. We found that four species in this study are endemic to Turkey, while seven are critically endangered geophytes in the country. The leaf anatomical characteristics of 10 taxa were divided into three groups. Main aim of this research was to study the taxonomy of the complex subgenus Scorpiris through microscopic techniques.

Seed micromorphology and its taxonomic evidence in subfamily Alsinoideae (Caryophyllaceae).

Seed micromorphology of 13 species, belonging to four genera of subfamily Alsinoideae (Caryophyllaceae) were investigated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), in order to assess their diagnostic significance at generic level and provide additional evidence on species delimitation, as well as correct identification and phylogenetic position. Genera and species of subfamily Alsinoideae exhibit great variation in ultrastructure and a high diversity of novel micromorphological characters were observed. Variation in seed shape, color, hilum, anticlinal wall, epidermal cell, cell surface, margins, and quantitative characters as length and width were studied in detail, compared, illustrated, and their taxonomic significant were discussed. Seed shapes of the species were classified as reniform, round, angular, subcircular, subreniform, and elliptical pyriform, with sub-central, central, basal, and nearly basal hilum. Wavy, irregular, tetragonal, and elongated epidermal cells structure has been observed as an exomorphological character. The present findings show that the micromorphology of subfamily Alsinoideae provides taxonomic information and is helpful to distinguish different species. The results also explained that SEM morphology of seeds provide important data about affinity among taxa and give potential characters in delimitation of members of subfamily Alsinoideae at generic and species level. A principal component analysis allowed to highlight the most outsiders among seed micromorphology with a possible explanation. Taxonomic keys were developed based on micromorphological characters to delimit the species and useful for their quick identification within subfamily Alsinoideae.

Using multiple microscopic techniques for the comparative systematic of Spergula fallax and Spergula arvensis (Caryophyllaceae).

In this study, comparative morphology, foliar anatomy and palynology of Spergula fallax and Spergula arvensis (Caryophyllaceae) were studied using multiple microscopic techniques. Genus Spergula includes worldwide five species, while in Flora of Pakistan the genus has two species. In this research, the comparative morphological, anatomical, and palynological characters of the two Pakistani Spergula species were studied. We examined some distinguishing morphological features, in both species, such as plant size, habitat, leaf morphological characters, inflorescences, flowers outer whorls, sepals and petals, and flowers number. These characters species were studied analyzing their comparative systematic significant. The foliar anatomical features also provided distinctive characters as the epidermal cell shape, the wall of the epidermal cell, lobes per cell. The differences in quantitative characters were also examined. The palynological characters showed difference in echini arrangement, echini density, and numbers of pore. Quantitative characters were variations in size of polar, equatorial, exine thickness, pore length, and width and P/E ratio. The multiple microscopic techniques provided sufficient evidence about the systematics of the genus Spergula. Based on morphological, anatomical, and palynological characters, analytical keys were developed for the identification and distinction of the species S. fallax and S. arvensis.

Palyno-anatomical studies of monocot taxa and its taxonomic implications using light and scanning electron microscopy.

Palyno-anatomical study of monocots taxa using Light and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was first time conducted with a view to evaluating their taxonomic significance. Studied plants were collected from different eco-climatic zones of Pakistan ranges from tropical, sub-tropical, and moist habitats. The aim of this study is to use palyno-anatomical features for the correct identification, systematic comparison, and investigation to elucidate the taxonomic significance of these features, which are useful to taxonomists for identifying monocot taxa. A signification variation was observed in quantitative and qualitative characters by using the standard protocol of light microscopy (LM) and SEM. Epidermal cell length varied from maximum in Allium griffthianum (480 ± 35.9) µm at the adaxial surface to minimum in Canna indica (33.6 ± 8.53) µm on abaxial surface. Maximum exine thickness was observed in Canna indica (4.46) µm and minimum in Allium grifthianum (0.8) µm. Variation was observed in shape and exine ornamentation of the pollen, shape of the epidermal cell, number, size, and type of stomata, guard cell shape, and anticlinal wall pattern. Based on these palyno-anatomical features a taxonomic key was developed, which help in the discrimination of studied taxa. In conclusion, LM and SEM pollen and epidermal morphology is explanatory, significant, and can be of special interest for the plant taxonomist in the correct identification of monocots taxa.

Systematic approach to the correct identification of Asplenium dalhousiae (Aspleniaceae) with their medicinal uses.

In present study, multiple microscope techniques were used for the systematics identification of the species Asplenium dalhousiae. The plant was collected from different phytogeographical and its natural habitat of Pakistan, where it shows higher diversity. Morphology, foliar epidermal anatomy, and spore morphological characters of the species were studied in detailed using multiple microscopic techniques through light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). LM and SEM were used for the systematics identification of the species. Traditionally, the species is used in the ailment of many diseases, so the spore morphology, anatomical features, and morphological characters are relevant to describe the species taxonomy. The importance of multiple methods of taxonomic study (e.g., documentation and morphological characteristics) for characterizing herbs are important step in systematic certification to maintain the efficacy of herbal medicines. The aim of the present study is to examine the morphological, anatomical, and spore morphology of the species A. dalhousiae in more detailed for the correct taxonomic identification and their medicinal validation from Pakistan.

Leaf epidermal micromorphology and its implications in systematics of certain taxa of the fern family Pteridaceae from Northern Pakistan.

The present study is insights into foliar epidermal anatomy for characterizing clades, and their utility in taxonomic segregation of certain species of Pteridaceae from Northern Pakistan. The leaf epidermal anatomy of 10 species of Pteridaceae representing four genera were examined using light and scanning electron microscope. A micromorphological matrix was constructed for eight qualitative and 12 quantitative characters. unweighted pair group method with arithmetic means and principal components analysis statistical analysis were performed to test the validity of foliar epidermal anatomical features as method of separating species and genera, and phylogenetic clusters among species are constructed using qualitative and quantitative traits. The qualitative characters described here are shape of epidermal cells, stomata, guard cell and subsidiary cells, anticlinal wall pattern, and trichomes types which is helpful in defining groups within Pteridaceae. In addition, the size of stomata, guard cells, subsidiary cells, stomatal pore epidermal cells, and trichomes are quantitatively analyzed. All species have hypostomatic leaves. Two types of stomata were observed in studied species, anomocytic and polocytic. Anomocytic stomata were observed in three genera namely: Adiantum, Onychium, and Chielanthes whereas Pteris can be discriminated from other genera by its polocytic stomata. On the basis of multivariate analysis present study does provides sufficient information on the taxonomic importance of foliar anatomy which validate its efficacy in species and genera discrimination. From result obtained here it is further possible to use leaf micromorphologic data in ferns phylogeny and providing basis for future taxonomic delimitation in other taxa.

Synthesis, characterization and use of iron oxide nano particles for antibacterial activity.

In this decade, the use of nano particles (NPs) against bacterial growth is increasing day by day due to remarkable alternative properties compared to molecular antibiotics. Thus, the use of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) has proven one of the most important transition metals oxide-based remedy in nanotechnological advances and biological applications due to enriched biocompatibility of iron. In this study synthesis of IONPs was carried out via co-precipitation method. The crystallographic morphology of the synthesized particles was studied via X-ray diffraction which revealed cubic structure of the particles, whereas, the spinal shaped morphology of the prepared NPs was confirmed from scanning electron microscopy. Likewise, the presence of the major elements in the sample was determined through energy dispersive X-ray analysis characterization. Bactericidal effect of the NPs was assessed at pre-defined concentrations (50 and 100 µg/ml) against Gram +ve bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Gram -ve bacteria Shigella dysentry and Escherichia coli. Bacterial strains, which demonstrate the potential of NPs. The purpose of this study was assessing the structure of the synthesized NPs for protective effect against harmful bacterial activity.

Foliar epidermal micromorphology and its taxonomic implications in some selected species of Athyriaceae.

For the robust identification of taxonomically complex fern family like Athyriaceae, light and scanning electron microscopy is significance implications. This article present first microscopic investigation of foliar micromorphology of 3 genera and 10 species belonging to Athyriaceae namely, Athyrium, Deparia, and Diplazium were collected from different localities in Malakand Division, Northern Pakistan. In present study we compare foliar micromorphology of all 10 species using standard protocols of light microcopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy. Qualitative micromorphological variations in shape of epidermal cells, anticlinal wall pattern, stomatal type and shape, stomatal pore shape, guard cells shape, and trichomes types were studied. In addition, some quantitative characters were also studied and data were statistically analyzed in epidermal cell size, stomatal size, stomatal pore size, stomatal density, and stomatal index. The pivotal result of study include; shape of epidermal cell in all species is irregular on both abaxial and adaxial surfaces. The anticlinal walls are sinuous in most of the species but some species have irregular lobed and broadly lobed wall. Leaves are hypostomatic in all studied species. Two main categories of stomatal type were found: polocytic and anomocytic. Unicellular nonglandular trichomes were observed in only one species Athyrium mackinnoni. The variation in foliar micromorphological characters between the genera and within the species was useful in identification and classification and have potential taxonomic significance for species differentiation. An identification key using micromorphological characters are provided to distinguish genera and species.

A light and scanning electron microscopic diagnosis of leaf epidermal morphology and its systematic implications in Dryopteridaceae: Investigating 12 Pakistani taxa.

Dryopteris and Polystichum are the 2 complex taxonomic genera of Dryopteridaceae. The comparative foliar epidermal anatomy of 12 species of both genera from Pakistan were studied using standard protocols of light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The objective of which was systematic comparison and investigation to elucidate the taxonomic importance of foliar micromorphology, which may be useful to taxonomists for identifying complex Dryopteridaceae taxa. Principal component analysis and UPGMA clustering analysis were performed to test the validity of leaf anatomical features as method of separating species and genera. The foliar epidermal anatomy described here is a good source of taxonomic characters in both groups that can help genera and species delimitation. This is the first report on leaf micromorphology in most of these species. Observation of foliar anatomy showed that stomata are only present on the abaxial surface; i.e., leaves of all species are hypostomatic. The shapes of epidermal cells in all studied species are irregular. The anticlinal walls are strongly lobed, irregular wavy and elongated wavy. However, substantial variation in epidermal cell size and other stomatal features were observed on both upper and lower surfaces in all investigated species. Two types of stomata were observed in all studied species. The presence of polocytic stomata in Dryopteris and staurocytic stomata in Polystichum are the important characters for the segregation of these genera. Elongate elliptic stomatal shape, narrow kidney shaped guard cells and broad elliptic shaped stomatal pores are diagnostic for all five species of Dryopteris selected. On the other hand, size and number of epidermal cells, lobes per cell, stomatal size, subsidiary cell size, stomatal pore size and stomatal index are the key features for species differentiation in Polystichum. An identification key was developed in order to apply the foliar anatomical characters in the discrimination of the species studied.

Pollen morphology of subfamily Caryophylloideae (Caryophyllaceae) and its taxonomic significance.

The Pollen morphology of subfamily Caryophylloideae (Caryophyllaceae) from different phytogeographical region of Pakistan has been evaluated. In this research, 16 species belong to 6 genera of subfamily Caryophylloideae have been studied using light (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for both qualitative and quantitative characters. Different palyno-morphological features were observed including; pollen ornamentation, pore ornamentation, echini arrangement, echinidensity, number of pori, size of polar and equatorial diameter, P/E ratio, exine thickness, and size of pore were studied. The palyno-morphological characters of subfamily Caryophylloideae have taxonomically significant in identification and delimitation of species. Two pollen types, i.e., subspheroidal (15 species) and prolate (one species Vaccaria hispanica) were observed. Microechinate-punctate and microechinate-perforate pollen ornamentation were examined. Two pollen types of pori, i.e., prominent (5 species) and sunken (11 species) ornamentation have been reported. Three types of echini arrangement have been reported irregular, regular and rather regular, while three type of echinidensity (i.e., medium, dense and sparse) were observed. Pori numbers were found different in different species range from 5 in Silene apetala to 19-35 in Silene vulgaris. Based on different palyno-morphological characters, taxonomic key was develop for quick and accurate identification. The quantitative data were processed using SPSS software for average, minimum, maximum, and standard error.

Intraspecific variation in seed morphology of tribe vicieae (Papilionoidae) using scanning electron microscopy techniques.

Seed micromorphology of 12 species of tribe Vicieae (Papilionoidae) representing five genera were examined using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The different seed types were described, illustrated, compared, and their taxonomic importance is discussed. Seeds exhibit great diversity in ultrastructure and a variety of novel morphological features have been determined among and within genera of the tribe. Seeds were characterized by oval to round shape, ovate to oblong outline and striate to papillate ornamentation. Radiate and wavy cell pattern has been observed as a characteristic exomorphological feature. In Vicia sativa, testa cells superficially seem to form peltate hairs. As a result, seed micromorphology with few exceptions showed variation and its taxonomic value was significant in distinguishing taxa at species level. The disparity in shape and density of papillae or protuberances and alignment of testa cells, may possibly give further insight at intraspecific level within tribe. The findings also illustrated that the use of SEM in seed morphology can reveal hidden morphological affinities among species and showed potential in delimitation of Vicieae members generally at tribe, genus, and particularly at species level.